Once along a riverbank, I chanced upon a serene scene: a family of otters soaking in the tranquility of the day’s sunset. It was a memorable sight. Otters travel in groups and protect each other in case of any dangers nearby. However, oil spills pose a danger otters cannot avoid.
Oil spills in the ocean devastate marine life, especially otters. When oil coats their fur, it damages their insulation and causes hypothermia. While cleaning themselves, they might ingest oils and can result in respiratory and digestive issues. This toxic environment threatens their survival. I hope my work can highlight the importance of preserving our oceans so that these treasured creatures can continue to call it a home; a safe place.
I am inspired by Salvador Dali’s surreal works, where the impossible is made visually possible. I had incorporated his art style into this work by manipulating the oil spills into tentacle-like forms that wrap around the otter, pulling it deeper into the ocean floor, making it look almost impossible for the otter to escape. I hope to mimic a feeling of suffocation, much like how otters feel when they are trapped in these spills.